This post is really inspired by two different people and a ton of other people who really optimize what is wrong with the internet today. Jordan and Allyn, both can be seen commenting around the site are two fantastic examples of being themselves and not trying to be the usual cookie cutter website that you see everywhere these days.
- Branding
Branding is important to any website. Take this site for example, I refer to myself as TheInfoPreneur, I always write it in the same way and always use the same image whenever I leave a comment. This has started to pay off as people recognise me now as ‘the info dude’ which is great.
If you look at Jordan and Allyn as examples, both completely unique and both doing really well. Jordan is known for his comedy style vlogs backed up with relevant posts that hit the mark every time and he is gaining followers at a fantastic rate. Allyn on the other hand is known for being opinionated and not shy about telling you what he is thinking. A lot of what he says is accurate and well thought out, if a little harsh. His vlog’s are rammed full of adult language which has created an incredible following for him.
- Honesty
By being honest and true to yourself when you talk to your readers through your website, you will connect with people. Billions of people are surfing the net as you read this, so if you are known as the Allyn’s of the world, loud and brash be that person, but don’t try and impersonate the Gary Vaynerchuks of the world, people will see through it in a heartbeat.
Take me for example, I asked my friends and family if they could (honestly) describe me in a few words, they came up with the following; Focused, selfless, caring, supportive, optimistic and hardworking. Hopefully this comes through in this site, so if you are the funny one like Jordan then be the funny one, don’t worry that people won’t get it, the ones that won’t get it will be over shadowed by the ones that totally get you.
- Fun
Above all have fun with your site and your readers. All business and no play is fitting in some places of work, but will ultimately lead to burn out. I’m not saying grab a bat and ball and invite all your readers to the park (although that would be kinda of cool) but relax and enjoy your website. Don’t go hell for leather all the time, sell sell sell, be interested in your readers and be willing to learn everyday.
Whether you see bad qualities in your personality or good ones, be who you are, relax and talk amongst friends. You can still talk with authority, but be yourself warts and all.
photo credit: kelsey_lovefusionphoto
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: AussieSire
December 29, 2009 at 22:18
A nice post, and reading my blog as you do you know that I like to have a little fun.
I’ve watched both of the videos, and I know Jordon is a professional comedian and all but I have to disagree when he said that Allyn’s video wasn’t funny because I found it bloody hilarious. Shit, even David Risley, one of the A listers Allyn was targeting left a comment saying how funny it was.
Just goes to show that we are all different. Allyn has a huge following and that’s because people like what he does. Jordon has his following because they like what he does and never the twain shall meet.
Sire´s last blog ..Top 7 Reasons Why People Don’t Return To Comment On Your Blog
Twitter: theinfopreneur
December 29, 2009 at 22:32
That’s why I included them, both different and unique in their own right, but both enjoying a great following.
cheers for the comment
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Is your blogging sincere? Authentic bloggers win every time – Guest Post
Twitter: AussieSire
December 30, 2009 at 00:26
Yep, and I as an independent commentator was just agreeing with you.
Sire´s last blog ..Top 7 Reasons Why People Don’t Return To Comment On Your Blog
Twitter: allynpaul
December 30, 2009 at 00:12
it’s all good as far as I am concerned. If we as bloggers communicate (good or bad) then we are doing it right. I am now a big fan of notaproblog guy, he got’s some balls IMO. That skinny Mother Effer made a big mistake coming at me that way, now he’s gonna get the full brunt of my assistance, ROFL
This goes back to your post yesterday Info Dude, when you talked about having your voice and not someone else’s in your writing… remember that one? well, this is really the same, but with video blogging.
Twitter: theinfopreneur
December 30, 2009 at 05:14
Exactly my point Allyn, what ever your doing however you are doing it, it’s all in the right direction, just travelling a different way.
Great comment
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Is your blogging sincere? Authentic bloggers win every time – Guest Post
I love video bloggers even if they come under the manure smelling Karma of the A-listers. I’d love to see Jordon just be honest when he attacks. Nothing wrong with a little jousting when you tell your audience why. It took me 1 minute to determine Jordan didn’t disclose he had peckerwood for Risley. For goodness sake, Risley featured him and Cooper didn’t disclose it when he got wound up over Hane jumping Risley. Allyn leaves no doubt as to why he launches a video ass whoopin. Cooper could have at least said he was attacking Allyn because Risley just featured him on his blog.
Steve Sherron´s last blog ..Wordpress Troubleshooting
Twitter: theinfopreneur
December 30, 2009 at 05:16
Hi Steve,
You are not the first person to mention this, Sire did a really good post on this mentioning the same thing.
I think it would have been better if Jordan did say that from the start, as you say Allyn is totally up front warts an’ all and that’s maybe why he scored good points in this whole thing
Twitter: NotAProBlog
December 30, 2009 at 07:07
Steve, you are absolutely right. It was a major oversight on my part not to include the fact David Risley did in fact feature me on his blog. It’s obviously very easy to see that it could be perceived that I am only attacking Allyn due to this and I apologize for not doing so.
In my own defense though, it was just happenstance that Allyn’s recent post highlighted David Risley – I would have had the same opinion of his “humor” regardless. Whether you believe that or not is obviously up to you. I’m very appreciative that David has shown his support of my work, but that alone doesn’t necessarily mean that anything I say that involves him is clouded due to this.
If this is the case, does that mean any blogger that links to you is free from reproach, positively or negatively simply because of this?
Jordan Cooper´s last blog ..Defining Status of Targets In Your Blog Editorials: A Case Study of Allyn Hane
Twitter: nhangen
January 14, 2010 at 18:32
I don’t think it matters man, you can say what you want. Although I found the video funny, I think he was way off base.
I’m still looking for someone to show me how blogging scales when you have 20k readers per day and 100 comments.
That being said, there is a lot of negativity in this circle…I read the post on Sire’s blog too.
I’m a big believer in focusing on what you can change, and not what you can’t.
Twitter: kookieskrumble
January 14, 2010 at 19:26
I think honesty is great as long as it is positive.
Winnie´s last blog ..REJECTION: Reality or Vitality?
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 14, 2010 at 20:55
Hey Winnie,
Yeah positivity is the way forward, which to be honest I think this whole thing has brought !
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..How To Beat A Traffic Plateau